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India National Cricket Team captain Shubman Gill has showered rich praise on Manav Suthar and Devdutt Padikkal for their match-winning efforts in the team’s massive 165-run win over the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team in the first Test at Galle on Wednesday (August 19).
With this dominant win in Galle, India took a 1-0 lead in the ongoing two-match Test series. This win also gave their ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final hopes a major boost. The second and final Test will be India and Sri Lanka, which will be played in Colombo from August 23. Amid this, India’s WTC Final qualification scenario after Galle Test win vs Sri Lanka.
Manav Suthar creates history in Galle as Shubman Gill hails his sensational spell
Young left-arm spinner Manav Suthar produced a dream performance in the Test series opener in Sri Lanka. Suthar finished the match with 10 wickets for 131 runs across the two innings. His spin trap broke Sri Lanka's batting line-up and played a key role in India's massive victory.
Suthar also created history. His match figures are now the best-ever bowling figures by an Indian bowler in a Test match in Sri Lanka, surpassing the likes of Harbhajan Singh and R Ashwin.
Speaking at the post-match presentation in Galle, Indian captain Shubman Gill hailed Suthar's bowling against Sri Lanka. Gill said, “He's been bowling magnificently.”
Shubman Gill impressed as Devdutt Padikkal hits record-breaking maiden Test century
Devdutt Padikkal also grabbed the opportunity with both hands and delivered an excellent batting performance in Galle. Coming in at No. 3, Padikkal scored a stunning 167 runs from 230 balls in the first innings. His maiden Test century included 15 fours and one six against Sri Lanka.
With the knock, the Karnataka batter created history by becoming the first Indian left-handed batter since Sourav Ganguly to score a Test century at No. 3. Padikkal also scored 44 runs in the second innings, and for those match-winning efforts, he was adjudged Player of the Match.
Shubman Gill was highly impressed with Padikkal's batting, saying his knock was a treat to watch in Galle. The Indian skipper added, “He was magnificent to watch. After getting to 100, he carried on. His knock was a treat to watch.”
Shubman Gill calls Galle win special as he reveals India’s biggest goal
Meanwhile, Gill described the victory as a special and satisfying result. India came under pressure at different stages, but the captain was pleased with the way his players responded as the Galle pitch was not easy for scoring throughout the game.
The captain said, “Special, a very satisfying win. We were put under a bit of pressure, but the team responded well. We were wanting to get around 400; the wicket wasn't easy to score runs at at will. We weren't sure how many overs we would be able to bowl. Overall, we're in a comfortable position.”
Gill admitted that their biggest goal is now the WTC Final. He also acknowledged that WTC victories do not come easily, which makes the Galle win even more important and special to his team. He signed off by saying, “That's the ultimate goal. The WTC Test wins don't come easy, and this was delightful.”
